ISLAMABAD - The government has offered an alternative plan to PTI to end the impasse on judicial commission, proposing new definition of ‘scope of inquiry’ regarding the body to investigate the allegations of rigging in the 2013 general elections.
The government, in its new strategy to deal with the longstanding issue, wrote a letter to PTI’s Asad Umar, proposing new definition concerning inquiry by judicial commission. “The commission shall determine whether the allegations of PTI stand proved on an overall basis and by manipulation the 2013 general elections were not conducted impartially, honestly, fairly, justly and in accordance with law and that corrupt practices were not guarded against,” Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said at a press conference.
The finance minister said if Imran Khan wishes, the judicial commission to probe alleged electoral rigging can be formed in half an hour. Ishaq Dar rejected the PTI leaders’ statements that the government was delaying constitution of the judicial commission and said the government was sincerely trying to form the commission. The finance minister, flanked by Minister of State Anusha Rehman, said the judicial commission would be formed within the ambit of the constitution.
He said Imran Khan wanted the word ‘conspiracy’ removed from the agreement draft. He asserted the government’s conscience is clear and Imran should also prove to be broadminded. The PTI chairman should not waste the nation’s time, Dar remarked.
Ishaq Dar said the remaining two points of deadlock can be sorted out with PTI while judicial commission can be formed without any delay. He said it is time to sort out the issues as a lot of time has already been consumed.
He further said the government wants the commission to determine whether the rigging took place as an organised conspiracy or not. He alleged PTI wants several answers to further complicate the issue.
The PML-N government asked PTI to come back to the assemblies, assuring it of constituting the commission to probe allegations of rigging in the 2013 general elections. No one has the authority to direct the wording for JC, which is against the constitution and law, Dar said.
“The Supreme Court of Pakistan will decide whether the law is against the Constitution or not,” he said and added the government was ready for legislation for the election rigging probe.
Dar said there could be systematic weakness and flaws in the electoral process which would be removed through reforms. He pointed out that review of five points about the electoral reforms has been completed and that the government’s conscience is clear.
The finance minister criticised Imran Khan’s recent statement that PTI would only take part in the Senate elections from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, contending the elections were held fairly in that province. PTI should take part in the Senate elections from all the provincial assemblies and the National Assembly, he added.